VEHICLE SPOTLIGHT | 1952 PORSCHE 356 AMERICA ROADSTER 3RD SERIES

1952 PORSCHE 356 AMERICA ROADSTER 3RD SERIES

ENGINE: 1.5-liter flat-4
TOP SPEED: 110 mph
HORSEPOWER: 70

The America Roadster—a precursor to the 356 Speedster—was Porsche’s response to Max Hoffman and John von Neumann’s request for a pared-down 356 for racing. It had a lightweight aluminum body, a top-spec engine, and a no-frills interior. Sixteen cars were built by Heuer-Gläser for the United States, but the response was lukewarm. John von Neumann was Hoffman’s west coast distributor and also an avid racer. Von Neumann requested one final vehicle, this time built by Drauz Karosseriewerke, that eliminated every ounce of unnecessary weight, from turn signals to decklid straps to bumpers (later added). The car weighed just 1,334 pounds and had a successful SCCA career.

COURTESY OF Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG